Washington Capitals: A look back to Alex Ovechkin’s first NHL game
Washington Capitals fans had to wait one year after drafting Alex Ovechkin for him to finally suit up in his first NHL game.
But on October 5, 2005 that wait was worth it. The Washington Capitals finally returned to the ice at the MCI Center after a one year absence when the 2004-05 season was cancelled due to the lockout. Alex Ovechkin set foot on the ice for his NHL debut with the Capitals hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Ovechkin wasn’t quite “welcomed” into the NHL in his first shift. Instead the 2004 top draft pick broke down the door 37 seconds in, charging in for a hit to Radoslav Suchy behind their net. The impact from the hit ricocheted a beam holding the glass, delaying the game for a few minutes.
When action resumed, the Capitals got a power play when Suchy was called for cross-checking. Off a draw just under a minute left, Ovechkin got a great look for a one-timer but was stopped by the pads of Pascal Leclaire.
More from History
- Washington Capitals: Top 25 goals of all-time
- Five years ago the Capitals did it, lets do it again
- NHL Stanley Cup Winners: Full List & History
- A look back at the Alex Ovechkin vs. Sidney Crosby rivalry
- Revisiting The Start of This Capitals vs Hurricanes Rivalry
All the scoring came in the second period and it involved two goals by Ovechkin as well as two from Dan Fritsche. Fritsche put the Blue Jackets on the board at 6:53 but Ovechkin responded right back 28 seconds later.
Dainius Zubrus forced a turnover, the puck rolled to Jeff Halpern. Halpern passed it back to Zubrus, who then found Ovechkin for a one-timer blast.
That goal was the first of 658 over the course of 1,084 regular season games. He was just getting started that season and those fans in attendance that night will forever remember that rocket of a shot.
Fritsche answered with his second goal of the game at 10:22 to give the Blue Jackets the lead right back 2-1 but the Capitals got a power play opportunity and Ovechkin once again delivered.
Late on the attack, Mathieu dished a pass down to Halpern near the net. Halpern found a charging Ovechkin for a slam dunk.
Five minutes later the Capitals took the 3-2 lead on a power play goal from Zubrus and hung on in the third for the win. Olaf Kolzig stopped 35-of-37 shots for a .946 save percentage.
Next. Capitals Metropolitan Division Review: New York Rangers. dark
Fans of Washington missed hockey and a two-goal performance from their number one draft pick couldn’t have been a better way to welcome back the game. That was just the beginning of a memorable rookie season for Ovechkin, finishing with 52 goals and take home the Calder Trophy for rookie of the year.